On July 13, 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for Chinese and foreign media. Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Jun introduced President Xi Jinping's state visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa, attendance at the 10th BRICS Summit and stopover in Mauritius for a friendly visit and answered questions from the journalists.

I. On State Visits to the UAE, Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa and Stopover in Mauritius for a Friendly visit

Kong Xuanyou said that President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to the UAE, Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa from July 19 to 24, and will pay a friendly visit during his stopover in Mauritius from July 27 to 28. This will be the first overseas visit after President Xi Jinping was elected as the President of China in March this year and a major diplomatic move that China takes toward developing countries in the context of the profound changes in the international situation. President Xi Jinping's visits are of great significance to improving the level of China-UAE relations, promoting the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative in the Gulf region, and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. The visits will promote the further deepening of political mutual trust, mutual development assistance, mutual learning on each other's concepts between China and Africa and the building of a closer China-Africa community of common destiny. The visits will surely and vigorously promote the in-depth development of China's relations with the above-mentioned countries, strengthen unity and cooperation between China and developing countries in Asia and Africa, build more consensus for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in September, and further sing aloud the main melody of China-Africa friendship and set off a wave of China-Africa relations before the Beijing Summit. All of the above-mentioned countries attach great importance to and are eagerly looking forward to President Xi Jinping's visits, and will arrange reception with high standards and courtesy.

Kong Xuanyou pointed out that President Xi Jinping's visit to the UAE is the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the UAE in 29 years. President Xi Jinping will meet with Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and attend the welcoming ceremony, signing ceremony and welcome banquet. The two sides are expected to reach a series of important achievements in the areas of the Belt and Road Initiative, production capacity cooperation, energy, agriculture, finance, customs, scientific research and people-to-people and cultural engagement. President Xi Jinping's visit to Senegal is the re-visit by the Chinese President in nine years, and it is also the first time that President Xi Jinping visits a West African country. President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Macky Sall and exchange in-depth views on further developing China-Senegal relations, practical cooperation and international and regional issues of common concern, and witness the signing of a number of cooperation documents. President Xi Jinping's visit to Rwanda is the first visit to Rwanda by a Chinese President. President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Paul Kagame, and they will jointly witness the signing of a series of cooperation agreements to elevate China-Rwanda practical cooperation to new highs. The visit to South Africa this time is President Xi Jinping's third state visit to South Africa. President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa and attend the celebration activities marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-South Africa diplomatic relations. They will exchange in-depth views on further enhancing political mutual trust, promoting practical cooperation, and boosting people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as international and regional issues of common concern, and will also jointly witness the signing of multiple cooperation agreements. President Xi Jinping's friendly visit to Mauritius during his stopover in Mauritius is the re-visit by the Chinese President in nine years. President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and exchange in-depth views on further developing China-Mauritius relations and practical cooperation as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

II. On the Attendance at the 10th BRICS Summit

Zhang Jun said that the 10th BRICS Summit will be held in Johannesburg of South Africa from July 25 to 27, and President Xi Jinping will attend upon invitation. This is an important diplomatic move of China toward emerging markets and developing countries. The Chinese side attaches great importance to the BRICS cooperation. This is the sixth consecutive time that President Xi Jinping will attend or preside over the BRICS Summit. The role played by China in promoting and leading the BRICS cooperation has been fully affirmed by all parties. This year marks the first year of the second "golden decade" of the BRICS cooperation. The Johannesburg Summit has attracted wide attention as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the BRICS Summit. President Xi Jinping will attend a series of important activities including the BRICS Business Forum, leaders' small-scale and large-scale meetings, informal meeting commemorating the 10th anniversary of the BRICS Summit, the dialogue between leaders of the BRICS countries and African countries, and the BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue, and have in-depth exchanges with leaders of various countries on the international situation, the BRICS cooperation and important international and regional issues of common concern. President Xi Jinping will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of relevant countries and exchange in-depth views on issues such as the international situation, bilateral relations and the BRICS cooperation. The Summit will release the BRICS Leaders Johannesburg Declaration.

Zhang Jun pointed out that with the theme of "BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution", the Johannesburg Summit will continue the cooperation momentum of the Xiamen Summit. The Chinese side appreciates South Africa's efforts in preparing for the Summit and is willing to work with the South African side and all parties to jointly promote the Johannesburg Summit for a complete success, so as to inject new impetus into the BRICS cooperation. First, strengthen the unity and cooperation of the BRICS and deepen the strategic partnership. During the Summit, the leaders of the five countries will, combining with the prominent challenges facing the current international situation, exchange in-depth views to enhance strategic mutual trust and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs. Second, grasp the opportunity of the new industrial revolution and enrich the connotation of practical cooperation. We look forward to strengthening cooperation among the five countries in industrialization, innovation, inclusive growth and investment through the establishment of the partnership of new industrial revolution among the BRICS countries, and meanwhile, deepening cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, finance, science and technology, culture and health. Third, hold high the banner of multilateralism and improve the global governance system. China will be committed to working together with the BRICS countries to jointly uphold international fairness and justice, jointly safeguard multilateralism and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at the core, and clearly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, in a bid to promote the development of the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction. Fourth, strengthen mechanism building and promote the long-term and stable development of the BRICS cooperation. The Chinese side agrees to set up new mechanisms including a vaccine research center, a working group on peacekeeping, and a women's forum, and actively supports the South African side in holding the BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue. It is believed that under the political guidance of the leaders of the five countries, the BRICS countries will surely make new and greater contributions to promoting the cause of world peace and development, building a new type of international relations, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.